I was browsing the MDOC website where 4 out of 5 of my husband's friends that originally parolled with him on 2000 are listed as Absconders. Have yet to be located, no trace of them. Is this the answer? To move out of the country and to really enjoy freedom with a new life/new start. I believe if you are granted parole, they should grant you unconditional freedom with no strings attached!

It seems that no matter how good they do it doesn't help, a record will follow them for the rest of their lives. It does make you wonder if a person shouldn't just try to disappear when they get out

First - I doubt if there will ever be unconditional parole - they will just make prisoners max out instead. Parole may be restrictive, but doing 2 years of parole is a hell of a lot better than doing the full sentence. My husband's max date is 2030. I'm 54 years old.. I don't want to start the next stage of my marriage when I'm 81 years old, IF I'm even still alive.

Second - An absonder can never spend another day with his family or call them without fear. He can't hold a decent job without fear. He can't buy a fishing license, go hunting or have his name on his child's birth certificate. He can't get a drivers license or renew the one he has and would drive in fear. Every time he would be out in public and noticed someone looking at him, he'd wonder if they recognized him.
THATS NOT ANY KIND OF LIFE I WOULD WANT.

Just my opinion on it all.

mrs. d

We've thought about it and discussed it as an option. BUT, everything Mrs D said is true except they can't hunt again anyway in Michigan. They can only do bow hunting. A lot of what Mrs said is going to hold true for a lot of our guys when they get out regardless.....

That's even more why we have to win-win this appeal so it can be over. The lives for guys getting out in Michigan for certain convictions is horribly restrictive for the rest of their lives sometimes.....

But, if they abscond if they are ever found they go back in and for longer and if you're with them then you go in...YUCK!

Deb

bad idea!! my guy has done it a couple times and he lives in fear...cant go in the car, to eat, have fun, cant walk down the street...it sucks to read the paper and see his name in it and just wait for the neighbor to report him (obviousely he got caught again) parole isnt meant for freedom its just an alternative to a prison term-do your time weather your in or out cause it will be done for good in the end! good luck!!!

This would never be a option, the only thing we might do is see if he could finish off in Virginia, thats where I'm from and it would possibly get him away from some bad influences. Doing something like that would only make matters worse, no doubt, it's just a shame that the record they've got stays with them

Not a good idea. Hubby did that and now he has life with no parole.

can't they have it changed from one state to another if the system agrees

Yes, you can parole to another state.

As we who have waited for "the final answer" from the Parole Board are well aware that to be parolled is a gift. I received a call when my son had violated his rules. He desperately wanted to "leave". We need to encourage those we love to take responsibility for their actions. To "abscond" is another attempt to break rules and not want to look at the consequences. To encourage some one you love to make another mistake just separates you from them for a longer period of time.

Well Said Cessie!!!!!

mrs. d

JUST WONDERING~ CAN YOU PAROLE TO ANOTHER CITY/COUNTY THAN WHERE YOU CAME FROM? IS THAT A POSSIBILITY ~ THANKS.

Yes, you can do it through the Interstate Compact. You must have an address to parole to and to get the paperwork started. The process takes 6-8 weeks.

Cessie,

Someone who's innocent and is paroled or out on bond and is well aware of our system does not need to be taught to behave and follow the rules....They have been screwed over royally and continue to be. For them to be paroled is not a "gift." It is another slap in the face of our horrible system. So when you say that they should all just follow the rules and take "responsibility for their actions" maybe the state should take responsibility for their actions.....These incarcerated innocents have nothing to take responsibility for...

67-73% of those incarcerated for SOS are actually innocent and to lump all inmates into one package as some of you are doing is another disservice just like the system has done...I, for one, am fed up with what we've had to endure from our system.....

I do understand that many innocents choose to continue to play the game our system imposes out of fear and so that they are not incarcerated again....I pray that we have a win-win situation with our appeals so that we are not put into that situation......

Please don't lump all together.....

Deb

Sorry Deb. I guess I should have thought about those that are innocent but still convicted. I did look at Parole as a gift because I thought they could stay the whole term if the syste
decided. I was wrong. I still disagree with "running". As bad as things appear to be, I see no advantage in living in a prison on the outside. By that I am thinking of being "free", but unable to connect with those that you love.

Never want to offend anyone on this site. We all live with our "own quiet desperation". None of us need any more. Again, sorry.

I understand. The ones who are guilty do need to continue to "play the game" and abide by the rules as they are getting out early. To violate parole and have to go back in would be horrible... For me, being innocent and abiding by rules that would continue to rip families apart--like "convicted" SOs (even innocent ones) not being able to live with their families after they are out and all of the other rules really pisses me off..... To be innocent and have to do this is unfathomable....I just pray we have a win-win in appeals soon...But, there are many others out there in the same boat.....

Deb

Although we give lip service to the notion of freedom, we know the government is no longer the servant of the people but, at last, has become the people's master. We have stood by like timid sheep while the wolf killed- first the weak, then the strays, then those on the outer edges of the flock, until at last the entire flock belonged to the wolf.
-- Gerry Spence
"From Freedom to Slavery"

Deco--

Who is this Gerry Spence and "From Freedom to Slavery?" Is it a book and what is it about? Very curious as his words really hit the mark...

Deb

He's a lawyer that has never lost a case from Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The book I am reading is called "From Freedom to Slavery": The Rebirth of Tyranny in America. He defended Randy Weaver at the Ruby Ridge Massacre.

Deb,

Learn more about him and his work on www.gerryspence.com

Thank you!! I'll check it out tomorrow...I need to get to bed right now...

Deb

Deb,
I've read many of your messages and find you to be an extremely intelligent, caring woman. I finally found your intro and cried the whole time I read it. I pray for and your family often. I too hope you win this appeal. You and your family deserve true justice and true freedom here!
I agree, running from the system ONLY creates more problems in the end. ANd eventually takes you away from your loved one for a longer period of time. ANy time away is TOO long. Absconding is NOT the answer.

KEEP FIGHTING DEB!

Stacy

Stacy,

Thank you for your kind words, support and prayers....

Deb

YOu're very welocome girl! YOu're fight is treacherous, not that the rest of oiurs isn't, but for the most part our men are guilty of the crimes they were convicted! And by choice we are here. YOU on the other hande had NO choice. I feel for you! I FEEL for your man, how sad to be sitting in a prison and be innocent. WHAT A NIGHTMARE! You have the strength of an Ox! I commend you for your fight!

Stacy

Sometimes there can be circumstances beyond anyones control though, and absconding may be your only option, crazy as it sounds, but prisoners arent always released on parole into the best of envirorments. Over all though, parole is a trust thing I guess and if you cant deal with it then I guess you pay the price.

Witchlinblue